Where Are Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid 2011-12 Title Winners Now?
The 2011–12 season remains the only La Liga title won by Jose Mourinho during his first spell as Real Madrid manager. That campaign was exceptional, with Los Blancos setting records for points and goals while outpacing Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.
It's been over a decade since then, and with Mourinho's recent return to the club, we reflect on what happened to the key players from that memorable team.
Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas
Iker Casillas was a stalwart in goal, making 37 appearances with 14 clean sheets that season. Despite being one of Real Madrid's most iconic players, his relationship with Mourinho soured towards the end. After leaving in 2015, Casillas has become a respected pundit and ambassador for the club. Recently, he expressed opposition to Mourinho's return, showing the complexities in their history.
Right Back: Álvaro Arbeloa
Álvaro Arbeloa played 26 games without scoring in that season. He stayed at Madrid until 2016 before finishing his playing career at West Ham. Transitioning into coaching, Arbeloa climbed through Real Madrid's youth teams and B squad before briefly managing the senior side. Next season, he will take charge of Premier League side Fulham.
Center Backs: Sergio Ramos and Pepe
Sergio Ramos featured 34 times and scored three goals in the title-winning season. Beyond that year, he became a legend with five La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies. Although still active at 40, Ramos is eyeing opportunities beyond playing, including a failed bid to invest in Sevilla.
Pepe, Ramos’s partner in defense, stayed with Real Madrid until 2017 before moving to Besiktas and then Porto, where he played until age 41. He remains connected to Madrid, recently appearing in a Legends match against Barcelona.
Left Back: Marcelo
Marcelo contributed 32 appearances and three goals in the 2011–12 season. His trophy cabinet grew significantly afterward, accumulating seven La Liga and five Champions League titles. Marcelo left Madrid in 2022, had brief spells at Olympiacos and Fluminense, and retired in 2024. His son Enzo Alves now plays in Real Madrid’s academy.
Midfielders: Sami Khedira and Xabi Alonso
Sami Khedira was important in midfield with 28 appearances and two goals but gradually lost prominence after the arrivals of Modrić and Kroos. He left for Juventus in 2015 and retired in 2021. This season, Khedira returned to Real Madrid as part of Mourinho’s coaching staff.
Xabi Alonso played 36 games and scored once. He helped Madrid win the 2014 Champions League but departed for Bayern Munich afterward. Alonso has built a strong coaching reputation, leading Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title. Appointed Madrid manager in 2025, he had a short tenure before moving to Chelsea for the 2026–27 season.
Forwards: Ángel Di María, Mesut Özil, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema
Ángel Di María scored seven goals in 32 appearances during the title run. He left Madrid in 2014 and enjoyed success at PSG before later playing at Benfica. Now 38, Di María has returned to his boyhood club Rosario Central in Argentina.
Mesut Özil was pivotal with 35 appearances and four goals, and ranked second only to Messi in assists that season. His relationship with Mourinho was tense, as Özil revealed in his memoir. He moved to Arsenal in 2013 and won three FA Cups. Since retiring, videos have shown a dramatic transformation in his physique.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a staggering 46 league goals in 38 matches that season and totaled 60 goals across all competitions. Most of his five Ballon d’Or awards came after Mourinho’s departure. Now 41, Ronaldo continues playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. His 2026 World Cup performance didn’t match expectations, though the new Portugal coach has not ruled out his future involvement.
Karim Benzema netted 21 goals in 34 league games, sharing striking duties that season. His best years at Madrid came later, culminating in the 2022 Ballon d’Or after Ronaldo left. Benzema stands as Madrid’s second-highest scorer. Like Ronaldo, he plays in Saudi Arabia today, signed with Al Hilal.
